Tennessee News

One of the most used propaganda-points for the prohibitionist crowd is the comparison of cannabis to opioids. While we know that synthetic heroin and naturally grown cannabis aren’t even in the same ballpark, opponents of marijuana legalization have continually stressed the gateway theory by claiming that increased availability of cannabis will lead to higher rates of opioid abuse.

According to Reuters and a new study from the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, those theories have even less merit than we originally thought, as it turns out that in states with medical marijuana programs, hospitalization rates for opioid painkiller abuse have gone down a whopping 23%. In the same states, hospitals have seen opioid overdoses drop an average of 13%.
The numbers have given hope to medical professionals dedicated to slowing the country’s opioid obsession.

I have been hesitant to talk about this publicly for obvious reasons, but have decided that the potential benefits for my family greatly outweigh the risks of negative backlash so here goes nothing…….

As most of you now know our son Cameron has a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy called infantile spasms. Despite being on medications he is still having anywhere from 3-20 seizures every day, on average. Over the last few weeks I have spent many hours researching something that I now feel has a very real possibility of helping my son, medical marijuana. I believe that many people’s hesitations and oppositions to this are based on misinformation, so I would like to ask all of you to put aside what you think you know about it and allow me to share what I have learned through my many hours of research.

Mission Statement: “The purpose of this organization is to promote cannabis in a positive manner and to interact and share ideas with the citizens of Tennessee throughout local communities, with the ultimate goal of legalization for medical, insustrial, and personal use.”

Announcements:

Purpose of meeting- Goals, Progress, etc.

Meeting starts at 2:00 p.m.

Doak Speaks – Introduces Kwame Leo Lillard.

Leo Lillard speaks – Invites people to march on Dr. Martin Luther King day Monday the 20th, discuss presenting a different way of introducting legalization to those who don’t advocate it, idea for cards to be made informing people of their rights (4th amendment)

Bernie will be visiting the offices of our Legislature today promoting the “Safe Access to Medical Cannabis Act” bill that Rep. Sherry Jones is sponsoring. The bill will be renamed shortly so please check back on that story.

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My name is Len Armstrong, I am 56 years of age, and I am a father of four sons, and grandfather to 9. I reside in East Tennessee near Knoxville.

I am a retired iron worker with disabilities resulting from injuries to my lumbar and cervical spine, and ulnar and radial nerve damage which are the result of two separate job accidents spanning a 30 year career. I am also dealing with skin cancer and prostate issues.

Despite these physical issues, and the pain and discomfort associated with them, I have not allowed it to slow me down too much in my efforts to work with others for a collective well-structured effort for legislative change that would legally permit the use of medical cannabis in the state of Tennessee.

I have been an activist for medical cannabis reform since 2002. My activism began as simply as a letter writing campaign… Continue reading →

The monthly meeting of NORMLTN at the Sunset Grill, 2001 Belcourt Ave, Nashville TN 37212 was well attended with a crisp agenda and several notable speakers.

NORMLTN President Doak Turner spoke about an initiative to lower the priority of pot busts in Nashville, Francis updated the audience about the success of our Facebook page likes, Colleen spoke on an industrial hemp progress towards the legislature, Alex spoke on plans to have a NORMLTN benefit concert, Bernie spoke on parts of Tennessee’s medical marijuana bill being successfully utilized by several states and the country of Uruguay. John spoke on NORMLTN’s upcoming meeting with MMJ bill sponsor, Legislator Sherry Jones. Katrina spoke on working with a TN doctor’s cannabis advocacy education efforts.

These are exciting days for NORMLTN and we need your help in convincing all Tennessee State Senators that it’s… Continue reading →